Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered youth are among the most at-risk population in schools. In light of a recent report from the Massachusetts Department of Education, more than 30 school educators, counselors and psychologists gathered on Dec. 8 to learn how to better meet the needs of this population.

Citing a Department of Education survey, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Elise Frangos said LGBT students are "five times as likely to skip school due to feeling unsafe and nine times more likely to attempt suicide than students not in this group."

Through the Safe Schools Program, school staff received training on how to improve the school climate and how to create a more respectful atmosphere.

Safe Schools emphasizes a three-part framework: Stop it. Name it. Claim it.

Stop it is recognizing that certain language is not permissible. Name it means telling the offender that their language is discrimination. Claim it is telling the person that their language is not OK with you.

Frangos would like to see the formation of a group in the near future to better meet students' needs. She also said, staff will examine all school polices and students manuals to make sure they don't violate laws on gender identity discrimination.